“No One Saw This Coming – Former Celtic Star Lands Championship Job!”

The green-and-white influence continues to grow across Scottish football as former Celtic defender Mark Wilson becomes the latest ex-Hoops star to step into a managerial role in the Scottish Championship.

Following in the footsteps of Scott Brown, who has established himself at Ayr United, and Neil Lennon, who made headlines this week with his appointment at Dunfermline Athletic, Wilson now takes the reins at Partick Thistle a club with ambition and a desire to return to the top flight.

The appointment was made official on Friday morning, with the Jags announcing that Wilson will lead the team into the 2025/26 season. It marks a significant career step for the former right-back, who previously served as joint interim head coach at Firhill.

A Familiar Face, A New Chapter

Wilson’s connection to Scottish football  and to Celtic runs deep. A composed and technically sound full-back during his playing days, he represented the Hoops with distinction after signing from Dundee United in 2006. During his time at Celtic, he won multiple honours and became a reliable presence under managers like Gordon Strachan and Neil Lennon.

Now, nearly a decade removed from his playing days, Wilson returns to the spotlight this time on the touchline. His promotion to full-time manager of Partick Thistle signals the club’s faith in continuity and the promise he showed during his interim stint at the end of last season.

“I am really pleased to be the Head Coach at Partick Thistle and I cannot wait to get started,” Wilson told the official club website. “It is going to be a busy summer but one I am looking forward to.”

It’s a clear statement of intent from a man ready to lead his own team through what promises to be a competitive Championship campaign.

The Managerial Dominoes

Wilson’s appointment caps off a fascinating few weeks in the Scottish Championship, where former Celtic legends are now shaping the league from the dugout.

Scott Brown, Celtic’s former captain and midfield general, is forging a tough, disciplined Ayr United side as he continues to learn the ropes of management with his trademark passion.

Neil Lennon, who enjoyed great success as Celtic manager, now takes charge at Dunfermline Athletic, bringing vast experience and proven credentials to the Fife club.

With Wilson now at Partick Thistle, there’s no denying the influence of Celtic DNA in Scotland’s second tier. The 2025/26 season is already being dubbed by fans as “The Battle of the Bhoys”, with three former Hoops stars all vying for promotion glory.

How the Deal Happened

While Wilson’s appointment may have seemed inevitable to some, the path wasn’t entirely straightforward.

There was strong interest from other potential candidates, including Partick striker Brian Graham, who served alongside Wilson during the interim period. Graham had engaged in serious talks with the club’s board but ultimately turned down the opportunity to take the job on a permanent basis due to “reservations about the role.”

Another top contender was Dougie Imrie, the highly respected manager of Greenock Morton. Talks were held with Imrie, but Morton moved quickly to shut down the speculation, releasing a firm statement reaffirming his commitment to the club and his ongoing project in Inverclyde.

That left Wilson as the leading candidate, and on Friday, Partick Thistle chairman Richard Beastall made the announcement official. He acknowledged fans’ impatience, saying:

> “We fully appreciate that supporters will feel frustrated it has taken us longer than we anticipated to make this announcement particularly as there has been a great deal of speculation throughout the course of this week.”

The appointment, however, now allows the club to turn full attention toward preparations for next season.

Looking Ahead

Wilson now faces the challenge of assembling a competitive squad, navigating the transfer market, and building momentum quickly. Thistle fans will hope his time under managers like Lennon and Strachan has shaped his footballing philosophy a mix of discipline, attacking flair, and trust in youth.

The Scottish Championship is a notoriously unpredictable and competitive league, but Wilson’s appointment offers something different: a manager with top level playing experience, recent familiarity with the squad, and a deep understanding of what it means to represent something bigger than just a club.

The Celtic Connection Grows

With Brown, Lennon, and now Wilson all active in the Championship, there’s a growing narrative of former Celts shaping the future of Scottish football. And for Celtic fans, it’s a source of quiet pride to see their former players taking bold new steps in management and succeeding.

For Mark Wilson, this is just the beginning. For Partick Thistle, it could be the start of something very special.